Eights, Men

Great Britain came to Paris 2024 as the defending World Champion, having won that title in both 2022 and 2023. They also won the recent 2024 European Championship and, at the 2023 Luzern Regatta, Great Britain finished second to Australia. Great Britain also won a bronze medal in the men’s eight at Tokyo 2020. Their biggest challengers were thought to be the Netherlands, runner-up at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, and Australia, winner of the 2023 Luzern Regatta.

Only seven boats started the event, so the heats and repêchage served only to eliminate one boat from the final, which was Italy. Australia made the final, but only just as the last boat from the repêchage, and they would disappoint, finishing sixth and last.

Great Britain and the Netherlands shared the lead in the early going, but Britain moved ahead by 1,500 metres and held on for the gold medal, with the Dutch boat taking silver. A surprising United States’ eight held off Germany and Romania for the bronze medal.

Great Britain won its fifth gold medal and 15th medal in the men’s eight. This was the fifth consecutive Olympic Games at which Great Britain won a medal in the event, with gold in 2016, silver in 2008, and bronzes in 2012 and 2020. The Netherlands’ silver medal was their fifth in the men’s eight, with their last one coming with a bronze in 2016. The United States won their 17th medal in the men’s eight, the most of any nation; however, it was their first medal in the event in 16 years since taking bronze in 2008.